The Best Healthcare Careers: A Helpful Guide

The healthcare industry is going to add 2.6 million more jobs by 2030. There are many trends fueling this growth. As the population gets older, they need more healthcare.

Obesity and other chronic health issues lead to higher healthcare demand. There are advances in technology that should improve efficiencies and deliver better patient outcomes.

In other words, if you’re choosing a career path, the healthcare industry provides outstanding opportunities.

Which jobs are the best healthcare careers that you can get today? You’re about to find out by reading this article.

Registered Dietician

About 41% of the American population is obese. Obesity is often the leading cause of preventable diseases like diabetes, heart conditions, and some cancers.

There are many contributors to obesity. Americans aren’t very active because they don’t need to be. They drive to and from the office. They sit on the couch once they get home.

They also don’t eat well. They consume too much, too quickly. There’s so much misinformation that it gets confusing to figure out what works and what doesn’t.

As a registered dietician, you help patients lose weight or manage their chronic diseases. You understand their needs and habits and give them meal plans to follow.

You’ll need to get a bachelors degree in clinical nutrition or something similar to become a registered dietician.

Chiropractor

Chiropractic care is on the rise thanks to its wider acceptance by insurance companies. Chiropractors focus on spinal alignment, which gets out of whack because of gravity and day-to-day living.

Spinal alignment is important for the nervous system to work efficiently.

Chiropractors work on acute issues as well. They address head and neck issues from sitting at the computer. They help patients who were in car accidents and suffered from whiplash or other types of trauma to the neck and back.

There’s a lot of work if you’re choosing a career path as a chiropractor. You’ll need a bachelors degree and attend chiropractic school.

You’ll have to pass several exams to get board-certified as a licensed chiropractor in your state.

Nurse Practitioner

Nurse practitioners have the training to assess patients, diagnose issues, and prescribe medications. That sounds like what a primary care physician does, right?

Yes, the two share a number of the same responsibilities. Nurse practitioners don’t have the extensive training that doctors do.

Their scope of practice varies between states. A nurse practitioner might be able to prescribe medications in one state but not in another.

You’ll often see nurse practitioners work alongside primary care physicians to provide quality care. If you find working in healthcare as a nurse practitioner a good fit, you’ll need to be a registered nurse.

That’s the first step in choosing a career path as a nurse practitioner. You’ll need a bachelor’s in nursing, and a graduate degree in nursing or nurse practitioner related.

Healthcare Administration

Are you fascinated by the business side of the healthcare industry? Healthcare administration is a great career choice for you.

These are management-level positions that focus on delivering high-quality care efficiently and profitably.

Healthcare administrators work in a variety of settings, from clinic management to the oversight of an entire hospital.

Healthcare administrators get trained in business, healthcare ethics, compliance laws, technology, and finance.

Your first step in this career path is to get a bachelors in health care management. You’ll then have to find a job that builds experience next.

IT Services

One of the most important healthcare jobs doesn’t work with patients. IT services help hospitals and clinics maintain software that holds patient records.

They manage the technical aspects of operations. They might work on phone issues, security, data processing, and compliance.

There is a growing demand for IT jobs in healthcare. More healthcare providers use technology to deliver services. They maintain patient records online, which helps them be more efficient.

It also leaves them vulnerable to cyberattacks. Recent data breaches in two clinics alone impacted over 600,000 people.

As an IT service provider, your main job is to assess current systems. You look for ways to make IT more efficient and effective in preventing data breaches.

Tips for Finding a Job in the Healthcare Industry

Do you have a healthcare job in mind? What do you do if you’re just choosing a career path?

Start with the end result you want. Maybe you need to have a flexible schedule so you can manage your family and pick up your kids at school. You might need to make a certain amount of income.

Make a list of all of the things you need from a job. Think of the work environment, stress levels, pay, and type of manager you want to work for.

Look at healthcare jobs that you find interesting and offer what you need. If you have one or two in mind, look at the qualifications and find out if you need to go to school.

Consider the financing options and how much you earn when you’re done with school.

Start building your network in the healthcare industry. Reach out to people to learn more about their work. You’ll be able to call on them when you’re looking for healthcare jobs.

Find creative ways to get experience in healthcare without a degree. An internship program at school is one way to go about it.

You want to be in the best position to get a job in healthcare as soon as you’re done with school. That makes the career transition seamless.

Best Healthcare Careers to Consider

The healthcare industry continues to grow by leaps and bounds. There are so many opportunities in healthcare, it makes choosing a career difficult.

The best healthcare careers listed here provide plenty of ways to grow and build a rewarding career. You have a clear career path to move forward.

If you found this article helpful, you’ll enjoy the other ones on the blog. Check them out today!